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Sunday, 30 September 2007

The crowd, the colour, the pace, the skill the A-League rocked at Hindmarsh tonight.

The young guys once again did their thing for Adelaide and it was a joy to watch.

Adelaide fans decked out in red at a packed Hindmarsh Stadium warms any Aussie football fans heart.

With the table topping Mariners in town a big game was on.

For the Mariners Mori, Petrovski, Hutchison and Kwasnik showed why they are top of the league Quick, creative and direct with the ability to create chances at pace.

And if Damien Brown had matched the work of his team-mates the Mariners may well have won again.

But United were gorgeous. People talking about the boring A-League. Leave it out. Sydney with Juninho, Newcastle in full flow, Wellington on the rise, the leaders the Mariners and of course the awesome Nathan Burns led Adelaide United are keeping me entertained.

Burns show Heffernan a clean pair of heels with a delightful piece of skill. A match for Juninho? A World Cup winner against a young Aussie on the rise.

I'm loving the Nathan Burns development show. And he's developed. Again making an increasing number of crucial interventions. He set up the opener for Bruce Djite. Another Aussie on the rise.

And any young Aussie who dominates in the Aussie league can clearly perform overseas at a high level.

Remember Jason Culina and Brett Emerton in the old NSL, and I would suggest those two lack the skill of a Djite of Burns.

Dodds inspired, Diego worked hard and Adelaide were on the run.

But from somewhere the Coast worked their openings and their fitness began to tell. And eventually the goal came and Sasho Petrovski scambled home.

The ref, Matthew Breeze, must have been watching Craig Zetter at Sydney the night before. The standard was the same. Dismal.

A clear Djite second goal just had to be allowed. But Breeze standing right in line of the Burns foul, Djite goal called play back.

And would it impact on this game, this great A-League game.

End to end they went. Probing and challenging.

Diego was fouled by Tony Vidmar. Second yellow and Vidmar was off.

And then Bruce Djite scored. A man who plays his football with honesty and integrity scored. And I was delighted.

Djite has been criticised by many, but he's young and he's scoring and he tops the charts.

Time to recognise his talents and progression. He can only get better.

The Mariners were outstanding and contributed to this great game.

If anyone is the Manchester United of this league it is Adelaide. Over three seasons they have consistently played the football, the intricate but flowing football.

Like United they have the ball players and the flair to do it. And that is the difference.

Creative players all over the park. And this with Bobby Petta, Jason Spagnuola and Paul Agostino out of the side.

Agostino was injured. How many of our ageing returnees continue to miss games in this league? Makes you question their value but that's for another day.

Today Hindmarsh was red. When Vidmar was sent-off the camera's showed two women in the crowd dressed in red. they cheered with a joy and a passion.

It was a real football moment, in a 90 minutes of excellence in Adelaide, and I loved it.

Whenever Adelaide are in town. If you are a football fan do not miss it.

On Tuesday they travel from Chendu to Chongqing for the AFC Championship, which double as U20 World Cup qualifiers. Tey are in a group with Japan and DPR Korea (current U20 World Champions), so this is the group of death.

It is big challenge to get out of the group, top 2 go through to the semis. Then the top 3 from the tournament go to Chile next year for the World Cup.

The players have definitely been inspired by the Matildas performances, so are raring to go. The first match is on 6 October.

Saturday, 29 September 2007

To find out Why Adelaide must thrash the Mariners, and Wellington beat the Glory, and who will be sent-off tonight in the Sydney Jets clash:)Sydney v Newcastle should be an interesting game, especially if Juninho plays and I'm intrigued by Adam Biddle.

Newcastle if Joel Griffiths plays will always cause Sydney problems, but surely Joel will be fired for this one.

Isn't he due a send-off?

Adelaide v the Central Coast.

I just would like to see the Mariners smashed! Just once. By an Adelaide team full of attacking options.

United are clearly going to miss Michael Valkanis and I would like to see Bobby Petta play a few games in a row in the more creative, less physically demanding midfield forward role.

He could really pull a few strings, but is the guy ever fit?

The Mariners well they're great, and physical and top of the league, but they just need to be thrashed. Just once. Should anyone think they are the greatest team the A-League have ever seen as they get further and further away from the rest of the pack a good thrashing would show what they are. A great hard working team with a load of points.

They aren't that good, and if they are they need to play a more attractive brand of football.

Wellington v Perth

Now Perth need a win and a few goals. But I want the Phoenix to get up. Because the crowds in Wellington have been sensational and I have loved hearing the atmosphere from across 'the ditch' as the commentators love to say, every week.

But I've grown to love or am growing to love Smeltz, Felipe and Daniel. And I'm even thinking about Michael Ferrante as he played a couple of good balls recently. it truly surprised me.

Last week they beat the Roar 1-0. Their first win. Not pretty but the defence held out with a little help from Clint Bolton.

No Juninho or Tony Popovic. Tonight they are both expected to be fit, but should they play?

Branko, I know you love yer man Poppa, and maybe you were behind his signing. But big Mark Rudan and Socceroo Mark Milligan would walk into any A-League defence in the league.

Everybody knows it. And of course Millsy can play elsewhere, but that's the problem.

Rudan and Poppa are too old, too slow together. And personally I'd take Rudan every time.

He is Sydney FC. He's won the Grand Final, he's won in Asia, and played well.

Poppa came back and you made him captain. For what? What has he achieved? Played with the Palace, big deal, played in Qatar, instead of coming home, we noticed that, we the fans.

And he nearly got sent-off in the first thirty for the Socceroos against Uruguay. Why does that matter?

Because we fans see the guy as a man under pressure. Under pressure to be the calm aggressive skillful leader Sydney need.

He didn't show it when your old mate Petrovski scuffed a shot past him in the game against the Mariners. And he certainly didn't show much against Adelaide even before his injury.

So bench the captain. Your team didn't concede last week. Build on your strengths and proven strengths.

Rudan and Milligan will keep the defence tight. Keep Ruben Zadkovich away from full-back. Just do it.

And let Juninho play. Maybe even bring him on. He will create we've seen that, and maybe in Patrick, Adam Casey, Alex Brosque an energetic Adam Biddle and dare I say it David Zdrillic there is enough of something to win at home, and with a bit of energy.

For me it's not about style. It's about energy. The team has enough skillful players but if they play with the energy of a David Carney they will break teams down.

Now how you do that Branko is up to you, and I'm not sure you know what your best formation is.

But the signs of Juninho, Corica and Brosque against Adelaide were good and if it wasn't for Ruben you would have won, and had something more concrete to build on.

Tonight might be the night, but leave Poppa on the bench.

He has to earn the right to play for Sydney FC. To dislodge Rudan or Milligan and on his performances he hasn't.

It's time to value the players who have done it for Sydney FC, and I suspect for less money than Poppa needed.

Well done Tammy Ogston (AUS). Tammy has been appointed the referee of the FIFA Women's World Cup final. Australian referee Tammy Ogston has been designated to officiate the Final of the FIFA Women's World Cup China 2007, Germany - Brazil, scheduled to kick off at 20:00 local time in Shanghai Hongkou Stadium on Sunday 30 September.

Tammy Ogston also refereed the opening game between Germany and Argentina as well as the group stage match between Korea DPR and Nigera and the quarter final between Germany and Korea DPR. She also officiated at the Olympic Football Tournament Sydney 2000 as well as at the last two FWWCs.

Foxsports commentators are not happy with what they are seeing this year in the A-League, or so they tell us every week.

Are you?

The thing is there have been some good games Sydney v Adelaide, Adelaide Newcastle, Wellington Adelaide, Wellington Victory, Adelaide Victory, Sydney Mariners.

the list actually goes on, but all the focus is on the poor games.And this can become self-fulfilling as people seem to have realised our salary caps limits player quality, and the new players coming in are unlikely to match the quality that leave like Fred, Carle, Vidosic and others.

Last night Melbourne Victory were woeful in the first-half and the commentators told us time and time again in case you didn't know it.

Queensland on the other hand, in the first half played well. Chased, probed but couldn't get the breakthrough.

Any fan, any coach would be happy with their first half performance away in the Dome. So maybe the commentators need to focus on that side of the game when the home side aren't sparkling.

And Victory weren't. The long ball release To Archie and co. is last season's trick and overdone particularly in the first half, plus it's hardly sophisticated is it?

Also the Victory's midfield in Brebner and Muscat are way too deep to be an effective attacking force.

Maybe Merrick want's to tighten up from last year's home defeats. Who could blame him? But it won't be pretty not in the first half.

Chances are to throw in a Caceres or Patafta early on means more space for teams like the Roar and with Victory's shaky defence a goal wouldn't be too hard to come by.

Fans have been saying where's the Fred spark, but maybe goals against are just as important and Adrian Leijer's departure may count for some of this.

No goals conceded allows the team to attack with more confidence.

Leandro Love was clearly poorly deployed in the first half. Playng at times in a three man straight line attack. So far away from the slowing Muscat and Brebner that the long ball is all Victory had.

With Craig Moore at the back, it's not too difficult to stop.

Victory have to entertain. The team with the biggest crowd in any league just do.

Merrick has to get the balance right, and maybe he will as the season goes on.

But I suspect that given the nature of the players on view, and the quality in the final third it will be away teams what will prosper, much as Victory did last year, and therefore the likelihood of draws or away wins is higher.

How do you get a creative player with the current salary cap?

The pace of the game is good. So the skills need to be higher to create that extra spark. In football you get mainly what you pay for and that perhaps is what we are seeing this season.

Can Sydney earn a home win tonight. Certainly with Juninho back they should create chances,and I for one wish to see them rewarded for their attempt to bring in some creativity, real proven creativity into this league.

So, tonight I say go Sydney and to Victory, well Ernie you have a long way to go but a win's a win as they say.

The ACT boy’s under 15’s preparing for the 2007 National Youth Football Championships in Coffs Harbour this weekend.

The team will feature four Australian representatives with Christopher Bush, Ben Harrington, Danai Gapare and Stephen Domenici all suiting up for the Joeys earlier this year. Along with the internationals, the team is made up of Capital Football Academy players and ACTAS scholarship holders creating a strong and skilful squad.

The ACT will come up against Football West (WA), NSW Metro, South Australia, Tasmania and Queensland Metro in Group A with the top two to proceed to the semi finals with the rest of the group playing off for final standings.

In the 2006 Championships this ACT squad finished in 5th as the ACT Under fourteen representatives.

According to Capital Football’s Technical Director Ian Shaw the results aren’t the be all and end all.

“We’re very pleased with the squad and its strength will certainly turn a few heads in Coffs next week but having said that we don’t base our success on whether we return home as the national champions, it all depends on who handles the situation best on the day. We’re just hoping to mix it with the best and play some good football,” Shaw said.

Eamonn adds: From this week's championship the Joey's Under 17 squad for the first round of Asian qualifiers will be named.

The qualifiers are in Singapore in October.

Australia will play Norht Korea, Malaysia and East Timor in the group stage.2007 Under 15’s ACT Squad:

The ACT boys Under 14’s squad has been named ahead of the National Championships in Coffs Harbour this weekend with Capital Football to take on some of the nation’s best youth footballers over the week long tournament.

This is the first time this group of boys will be representing the ACT at the FFA National Youth Championships.

“It’s a young squad but I have no doubt that they will enjoy themselves and make the ACT proud. They get the chance to take on a lot of the other states and territories; it’s always a great thrill to be representing your region,” Capital Football’s Technical Director Ian Shaw said

The ACT will come up against Football Queensland Metro, Football NT, Football Queensland Country, South Australia and Northern NSW in Group B with the top two to proceed to the semi finals with the rest of the group playing off for final standings.

The entire squad is made up from the Capital Football Academy.

“It will be a great chance to bench mark our Academy program against those pathway programs from other states and territories and will provide us with a key indicators to determine our strengths and weaknesses” Shaw said.

You've seen the blog, next up is a one hour football radio show...in Canberra!

2XX 98.3fm community radio, unlike many other media organisations in town, has seen the light.We have a one hour 6:30pm Tuesday timeslot.No other city in Australia has a primetime football radio show in Australia.We're thrilled and starting soon.

Want to know what we'll cover....

We will be covering the issues of the week in Australian football, A-League, Socceroos, Matildas and all national Representative sides, including the Futsalroos.

The local game, local coaches, players, their stories and their football passion. Their teams and strategies, we'll aim to give a voice to the Masters to the Premier Leagues, the independent games around town, to the Indoor futsal comps.

The junior game. We want to hear from the coaches, of the pee wees, to the Under 16's. The games, the players, what you enjoy and what you hate.

We'll never got it right, not for everyone, but we're going to love giving it a go.

Juninho's back this week and Tony Popovic maybe. But with the excellent Mark Rudan and Mark Milligan do Sydney really need Popovic in defence?

What has he given them that they haven't already got?

Sydney can make the top four, but it's not looking pretty. The defence isn't settle the forward line isn't settled, and bringing on new-boy Adam Biddle with 15 minutes to go against The Roar suggests the midfield isn't settled.

A few more dodgy results and Branko would be feeling the heat.

His teams produced good performances in the Asian Champions League, players seemed to know their roles.

After 5 A-League games who knows the pattern of Sydney FC?

Confidence comes from winning and the performances of Clint Bolton, Tony Popovic, and Ruben Zadkovich in defence has been, for me, the key reason the rest of the team is struggling.

Keep your goal intact, as they did against the Roar, admittedly without Poppa, Zadkovich in defence and with Bolton back to his best, enabled Sydney to sneak a goal.

And if you are only going to score one, then you'd better have your defence sorted.

What has Branko learn't from the first five games? We'll see on the weekend, or when Poppa is available.

Monday, 24 September 2007

Capital Football's CEO Heather Reid writes a final note on the WWC campaign and the Matildas –

Bugger about the result last night. I agree with others that the ‘penalty’ awarded against McShea’s tackle should have been a free kick outside the box because that’s where the offence occurred.

And Australia should have been awarded a penalty late in the game when de Vanna was brought down. C’est la vie and the game of football. The fight back by the Aussies was tremendous but we were beaten by a better team on the day. We can be very proud of the Australian’s performances throughout the championship and other records set including:

- Having never one a game in nine previous WWC games, the Matildas secured one win and two draws against teams ranked much higher than us in the preliminary games

- They scored 7 goals and only conceded four prior to the quarter final

- Progressed to the quarter final where they fought back from 2-0 down to finish 3-2

- They are the only team to score against Brazil so far

- Australian players (McCallum, Garriock, Salisbury) were named as ‘Player of the Match’ in all three preliminary games

- Captain Salisbury continued her remarkable achievements in world football

- Lisa de Vanna matured into a new star for Australia

- Live coverage in prime time on SBS television meant the game was beamed into Australian households and women’s football now has greater respect, recognition and status

- Emerging players like Colthorpe, Polkinghorn and McCallum were brilliant to watch.

- And the whole 21-player squad demonstrated confidence in their abilities, fearlessness in their approach to more fancied opposition, and that determination to represent Australia in the most positive ways on the world stage.

Now the world’s leading ranked nations are into the semi final places. My tip for the final – Germany v Brazil and I don’t care who wins that because it will be a cracker of a game!

After the WWC, many of the younger players like Canberra’s Lydia Williams will stay in China for their assault on the Asian qualification tournament for the world youth championships. We wish the Young Matildas all the best in that campaign.

Former Belnorth and Belsouth junior Adam Casey scored his first goal for Sydney FC last week against Wellington Phoenix when he played as a striker. This week Coach Branko Culina moved him to right back.

Casey’s contribution was again significant. With the score at 0-0, Olyroo Casey cleared off the line.

“I was standing on the back post. Luckily I hadn’t moved out, and I just reacted quickly and cleared it. Clint Bolton made the rebound save,” said Casey.

“I see myself as a forward. But you have to be versatile. When Branko rang me during the week I said I would play where selected, but I prefer forward. When you see the players we have in the squad you play wherever you can get a game. I can play anywhere down the right hand side.

“The game against the Roar was frustrating. I was anchored in defence a fair bit and found it hard to get forward. But we got the result, our first win, and that takes the pressure off us a bit.”

Melbourne Victory’s Matthew Kemp is another player able to play a number of positions. Kemp, whose brothers David and Stephen both played for Belconnen United in the Capital Football Grand Final yesterday, played right back for Melbourne Victory in their 2-2 draw with Newcastle Jets on Friday night. He has played left-back and centre back already this season after just five rounds.

Former Socceroo and Central Coast Development manager Alex Tobin says, “the modern game is fast. Players have to be fit. In the old National Soccer League, you could get by with just being skilful, not anymore. I wouldn’t say skill isn’t important, just it’s important to be fit. With the numbers of players limited to twenty two or twenty three, versatility is the key. When we sign a player we look at how many positions a player can play.”

One Canberran whose position seems secure is Perth Glory’s Nikolai Topor-Stanley. Another strong performance at full-back from Topor-Stanley but the Glory still went down 1-0 to league leaders Central Coast Mariners.

Canberra referee Ben Williams was on duty in the Wellington Phoenix v Adelaide United game. Despite former United hard man Ross Aloisi playing against his old club, Williams had little to do as the teams played out a 2-2 draw on the official FIFA fair play weekend. Back to normal next weekend I suppose!

The Matildas drive to the 5th FIFA Women’s World Cup quarter-finals has impressed many. A local Chinese businessman was so excited by the Matildas performance he offered them $50,000 if they made the quarter-finals!

Caitlin Munoz and Sally Shipard played in the historic 2-2 draw with Canada on Thursday in the World Cup. Lydia Williams was on standby overnight to takeover if number one keeper Melissa Barbieri failed to recover from an ankle injury.

Garriock seems to have found a new energy.Brazil have lifted their tempo. It's getting harder. If we can survive the next few minutes we can do them, surely.

Briliant Sally defends well. Brilliant Sal.

Brazil are giving it to De Vanna.

Marta breaks for Brazil, nothing comes of the cross.

Come on Lisa, one moment is all we need.

Sally Shipard is driving on, good on yer Sal. keep going.

68 mins: Brazil are tiring, really tiring or maybe it's just me!!

Australia has the momentum in the quarter final. Come on Australia.

Tommy's into it. He's on his feet.

Game on.

Lauren Colethorp scores!!!1 A fantastic header from a cross form Garriock, it's 2-2

Aussies 2 Brazil 2. We're level!!

Brazil are keeping a very close eye on De Vanna and Walsh. De Vanna may get a chance to cuasse havoc if she can just persist.

Walsh and Shipard trying to link much closer this half.

64 mins: Brazil attack again but it comes to nothing. Australis survive and may just get a chance to test the Brazilian defence.

This is our best period of the whole game. This is our time. Come on Australia.

Australia has a chance, I really believe we do.

60 mins Still 2-1 Aussies still in it, and Brazil still impressiong but not like they were in the first half. Next goal is crucial.

No more pace to come on. But maybe Caitlin Munoz for Sarah Walsh.

Brazil second goal is starting to annoy me. The foul was clearly outside the box and now the Aussies are having to work that bit harder.

Aussies starting to drop the tempo.

Free kick to Aussies on the edge of our box.

Slatyer heads clear.

Thea Slatyer saves the day! Corner to Brazil.

Garriock again showing positive attacking signs. Australia are in this game.

Aussies pressure again but ball runs fo a goal kick.

Barbieri gathers a through ball.

52 mins: Foul throw from Brazil in a World Cup.

Garriock links well with Walsh. Aussies are asking questions.

Come on Australia, this is your time.

Aussies are impressing with their work rate.

De Vanna wins a corner. Big chance.

It's a physical battle.

Aussies are working hard, very hard.

Kate McShea did well then Slatyer, but De Vanna loses out.

Come on De Vanna fire up. Your country needs you now.

Good corner punched clear.

MCCallum to take.Walsh forces a corner.

Next goal is crucial. Corner ot Brazil, and Aussies clear.

Brazil had 65% possession in the first half. How tired are the Aussies? They are going to have to chase and keep together.

Here we go. Australia to win, somehow 4-3. Let'see.

If we win we play the USA, all 7 million of their registered players!!

Half-time 2-1 to Brazil.

Aussies still have a sniff, according to the scoreline.

It's nearly half-time but Brazil still pressing. Cooler conditions are allowing the Asusies to chase. And Elaine pings it from 35 yards. Mad stuff!

Aussies are still chasing. De Vanna chases like crazy and has no energy to break forward when the ball is won.

De Vanna is wasting her opportunities, and I'm not happy about that, as Australia need her now more than ever. I reckon Tommy will killher at half-time.

Another shot from distance comes in. But it's high and wide.

Corner to Brazil.

Heather Garriock seems to be lacking her zip the further this tournament goes. No surprise maybe but the Aussies need more from her.

Tom Sermanni is desperate to get to half-time without conceding further.

There is no guarantee the Aussies can stop the attacking stylish Brazilains.

What would another goal do to Brazil...I mean a goal to the Aussies. Would it stun them?

Brazilians look like they have three Lisa De Vanna's in their forward line.

Aussies have to get to half-time without conceding again. Can they do it?

Makes that dodgy penalty call even more frustrating.

Australia 1 Brazil 2

And then a mistake by Brazil and De Vanna rounds the keeper and scores to become the highest ever Aussie World Cup scorer.

Julie Murray isn't too excited. I am!

Aussies are under the pump, finding it hard to get out of their half now.

Fierce defending from the Aussies. Brazil are looking for a third. In fact they are making the North Koreans who beat the Aussies earlier this year, they are making them look ordinary!!

Lisa De Vanna looking very frustrated.Can she last the pace?

Brazil shoot from 30 yards and Barbieri saves. The Brazilian team can shoot from anywhere it seems.

Barbieri grabs the corner in he 24 degree heat!

Aussies defending well.Sally Shipard blocks corner to Brazil.

Crowd is quiet.

Australia sitting very deep. Too deep. And having to play winning balls every time they get it. It's not going to work.

There is a huge gap from midfield to forward.

25 mins:Game is set. Aussies looking second best. Walsh and De Vanna having little ball.

2-0 to Brazil

Marta earns Brazil a foul. Ref says penalty. It was a beautiful penalty, but it should have been a free outside the box.

20 mins: Okay I've seen enough, it's going to be very very tough for the Matildas. Grit and determination is required in bucketloads. It may not be enough.

Can the Aussies hang in their and work an opportunity? Aussies not linking well in their forward play. And Kate McShea replaces Cheryl Salisbury.

Now they are looking like Brazilians again.

17 mins:Interesting point of the game. Brazil looking human.

Cheryl Salisbury in difficulty. She struggles to play so many games in quick succession these days. Sarah Walsh ahs had three knee re-constructions. Yuck.

Aussies were singing the Celtic song on the bus before the game. Looks like Collette has taught the Matildas to sing!

mins: Have we weathered the storm or is there more to come?

Matildas are working hard. Salisbury and McCallum are starring.Thea Slatyer is a bodyguard in her spare time says Julie Murray. Apparently the SBS are in Sydney!

Where is Fozzie. Didn't here any analysis from him?

Good work from Walsh. Corner.

Long ball to De Vanna strategy isn't working...yet. We have to score next methinks.

Brazil are looking well like Brazilians.

Another Brazilian shot from distance, another superb save from Barbieri.7 mins: Aussie forwards need to get in the game quick to influence this game.Coach Tom Sermanni on screen look like his fears are coming true. Perhpas that's why he played De Vanna. He knew the Aussies could be gone byhalf-time.

5 min Barbieri saves Australia in a one on one. Aussies in big big trouble.

Australia go behind again.

4 mins. Goal for Brazil. A great side foot into the roof of the net from outside the box. Formiga 4 mins.

3 mins: McCallum steals the ball and sends it....long for De Vanna. No chance.

Melissa Barbieri is fit to play.Brazil look like the best team we've met after 2 minutes can I say that?

Capital Football CEO Heather Reid missed the Canada game in China, due to the postponement. Heather's back in town and sent this update on her World Cup journey. Thanks Heather.

Hello again Eamonn

I'm now home in Canberra where the sun is shining, thesky is blue and we're in for some great grand finalsin the PL competitions today at McKellar. And ofcourse we'll all be watching SBS at 10.00pm as theMatildas take on Brazil in this historic quarter finalclash of the WWA.

The last hour postponement of the scheduled gameagainst Canada on Wednesday in Chengdu meant that manymembers of the Matildas family touring group, as wellas we (including me and hundreds of others fromAustralia and Canada) just simply couldn't change ourarrangements to fly later than our scheduled Thursdayflights. Qantas required at least 24 hours notice inorder to get alternative flights and changes justcouldn't be arranged in time. This was all soannoying but completely out of our control. I feltsorry for not only our group but the thousands ofothers involved in the game who were alsoinconvenienced - including a young volunteer who hadto stay an extra day in Chengdu when he'd beenexpecting to go home and study for his final yearexams. At least those who were able to stay inChengdu would have seen the game - for me I had towait until getting home to see it again, and again, onvideo.

Andy Munoz left Chengdu on Thursday at 1.00pm and Ileft at 4.00pm along with Katie Gill's mum, dad andbrother. We'd hoped to be able to catch the game ontelly at Hong Kong airport but there was only rugby onthe big screens. We got the news via SMS from Katiethat we'd drawn 2-2 with Canada and there was quite ascene of jubilation at the arrival lounge as we jumpedup and down, hootin and a hollerin.

I went as fast as I could to the Qantas lounge tocheck the FIFA website for all the details on thegame. It was clear that the game was a nail-biter andthat the Matildas had left their charge until thelast minutes again (as they did against Norway). Nomatter, we were through to the quarter finals andlikely to face Brazil. I absorbed as much info as Icould from the FIFA website and then checked thenearpost.blog and Australian newspapers for otherstories. With copies of the media clippings I washappy to then get on my flight home to Canberra viaSydney.

After the news on Wednesday about the postponed game,I went to the Stadium Media Centre in Chengdu tosee/hear what was really going on. A journalist fromAP and a broadcaster from Canada both told me thatAustralian and Canadian as well as China FA officialshad requested all last round games to be played at thesame time, ie. Thursday. China FA was especiallyconcerned about making sure their game v NZ was playedat the same time as the crucial Brazil v Denmark game.Both China and Denmark were on 3 points and bothneeded to win to qualify for the quarters. As ittranspired Brazil beat Denmark and China beat theKiwis meaning that Brazil finished first in group D(and hence played Australia) and China finished second(and they play Norway). Denmark was on its way homealong with Sweden, Argentina, Japan, NZ, Nigeria,Ghana and Canada.

On Friday after landing in Canberra, I headed to theCapital Football office to catch up with staff onwhat's been happening locally over the past two weeksand to get all the details on arrangements for the JLpresentation day at Hawker and the grand finals in themen's divisions and the Premier League games today.Expecting to only spend about 20 minutes there, Iended up staying a couple of hours as we had so muchto share on international, local and national football(seems I'm really struggling in the A-League tippingcompetition).

Yesterday was a beautiful Canberra spring day andIoved being back with my dedicated and wonderful CFstaff and volunteers for the celebration at Hawker. Ialso presented the men's Div. 2 trophy to UC as theybeat ANU. In the Div 1 final, White Eagles ran awayin the second half to defeat Cooma 3-1.Congratulations to all teams and to others in themen's finals.

We've got a full agenda today with grand finals inmen's PL 18s, Pathway and Premier leagues as well asthe Women's PL. Hopefully there'll be a big crowd atMcKellar to support the teams - and no doubtBelconnen United will have geat numbers as they'vemade three grand finals !

And then, we'll be in for the world cup game at10.00pm. Looks like Germany had a comfortable game vDPR Korea beating them 3-0, and USA defeated England3-0 in the other game. So, two semi final places arenow sealed and if the Matildas beat Brazil then we'llbe up against the might of USA - winners of the firstWorld Cup and Olympic Gold medallists.

The media coverage has been terrific in some areas.Finally the Matildas are being recognised on the frontpages of newspapers, The coverage is for theirfootball skills and not for things like nude calendarsor toothpaste commercials for Japan television, orallegations of financial misdealings ormisappropration of funds, or for relationship issuesbetween a coach and a player. This is about worldclass football at it's best - bring it on and go theMatildas!

Here's a message from Jo Sanders the Matildas team manager. Jo will be sitting next to Robbie Hooker the Matilda's Assistant Coach on the bench for the big game against Brazil tonight. Thanks Jo.

Tianjin is our town. We've been here twice before, two years ago and a few weeks ago for some friendly games. On 16 August, Matildas v China was the first-ever match at the new Tianjin Olympic Stadium, behind closed doors, which we won 3-2.

The second friendly on the 19 August was the first ticketed international match there, played in front of 51,980 local fans and around 20 Aussie screamers (more on that later), which we convincingly won 3-1. The team played great. So Tianjin holds good vibes for us.

So it will be déjà vu in many ways. Tonight's match will be a repeat of our last good performances in Tianjin, I can sense it. And it will be just like the other World Cup matches. The team will prepare for the game in the same way. Tom will still do his crossword in the morning and sip tea on the bench. Some players will find a Starbucks for a coffee and chill out, some will watch DVDs, surf the net, sleep, some will be hyper all day. And for the match itself, well everyone has their own routine. I'll be wearing the same shirt and shorts and do my hair the same (as will most of the players) for the match. No, none of us are superstitious really .....

What will be different will be our playing strip, Brazil is the home team so we'll be wearing our away strip. The gold and green is traditional and looks great, but the away strip is also special and looks fantastic. So the players will love wearing it, they have been wanting to wear it, but FIFA instructs the teams what to wear match by match. Today is the day when the away strip is revealed. Nothing superstitious about a change of playing strip, especially when the players are keen to pull it on!

The "Aussies" who found us at the August Tianjin games were actually a bunch of non-locals who gathered to get some non-local entertainment. Dutch, Scots, Germans, South Africans, etc - even a few Aussies. All of them dressed up in green and gold. Apparently after a while working in Tianjin one needs to get to any type of entertainment similar to their various homelands. So ex-pats from around the globe gather as one and support whatever international activity is going on. We're hoping they'll be back today.

Who can sleep before a big match. And who could sleep after the Canada game. Really, who sleeps at all during a big tournament like this. The adrenalin is pumping - and that's just the staff! Have no idea how the players cope with all this excitement and play as well. They are doing brilliantly.

Germany and USA are through to the semis so far. Everyone thought DPRK could cause a surprise, but the Germans were just too strong. England played well but had a 12-minute blowout in the second half, USA scored 3 goals and then held on comfortably. Most punters would be predicting that Norway and Brazil will be through tonight. But we've done all our bookings for Hangzhou for the semi. Brazil will underestimate us and that will be their undoing. We're still not ready to come home yet!

Again, thanks heaps for all of your good luck and congratulations texts and emails. I am getting them all and really appreciate them all, just a bit strapped to reply individually at the moment. So it's a big collective THANK YOU!

So let's all make Sunday night rock. 10pm kick-off your time. I know it's a school night but you'll be in bed by around midnight having the satisfaction of just witnessing a great match and history being made - again. No I'm not superstitious but here's the same message again - don't forget to cheer EXTREMELY LOUDLY! Enjoy the game everyone.

Sydney FC win!Another pulsating game. The physical approach of the Roar was matched by Sydney FC.

The Roar despite playing some good football struggled, I'll know you'll find this hard to believe, to score.

They had chances and keeper Clint Bolton made some superb saves, it must be said, but once again Simon Lynch, Reinaldo and the non-scoring Ante Milicic failed to do what needs to be done. Score.

Milicic has looked well past his best in all three seasons of the A-League. It is sad to see. The pace has gone. His goal threat is now timid.

Can he reinvent himself for the good of the team, or will he play out the season as a shadow of the dynamic player he once was. It's not pretty, and not pretty for the fans.

Maybe he just needs a goal, but I think it is more than that. I think it's age.

Branko Culina got lucky. Bolton and others saved him and his goal threat continues to be his biggest problem.

Last weeks scorer Adam Casey became this weeks full back. I suppose anyone but Ruben Zadkovich at full back after he continues to give away crucial goals from that spot. But your goalscorer. Interesting.

Brosque, pretty but light. Patrick scored. Maybe he can and maybe he will. But the rest of his play leaves a lot to be desired. He can only get better surely.

And Adam Biddle into the centre of midfield. Strange decision but it paid off in terms of results, but surely it is asking a lot of a young man in his second game to come into such a vital position and control Danny Tiatto in fact the whole game.

And of course Culina got lucky because Tony Popovic was injured. Mark Milligan and Mark Rudan have proved to be a strong defensive pairing.

Why change them? In fact why buy Popovic but that's another story.

Didn't Sydney look better defensively without Popovic or was it just because the Roar don't score. A bit of both maybe.

The Roar change the manager but it doesn't change the home performance. Farina is stuck with the Miron Bleiberg's forwards and the best coach in the world can't do much if your forwards can't put the ball in the net occasionally.

Michael Zullo excites everytime he's on the pitch. Sasho Ogenovski on upfront. Says a lot of about the Roar, the League's strikers and has shades of the Jamies Harnwell's.

And the sad thing for me was it nearly worked, so expect more of the same from Farina.

Craig Moore and Danny Tiatto are settled in, but the Roar's defending for the Sydney goal was inexplicable. Not one but two Sydney players unmarked close to goal.

And credit to Zadkovich for his pass to Stevie Corica, and Corica for making the run. No Roar player went with him. Well I was amazed.

Phycial, full of the Matt Mackay's and Danny Tiatto's. A liitle bit of the Terry McFlynns.

Plenty to keep you involved and a win for Sydney. Who would have thought?

Sally Shipard writes from the plane to the quarter finals!Hi guysWe are on the plane flying from Chengdu to Tianjin, yes that’s right we are not on our way home to Australia.

After a nail-biting finish to the game last night against Canada. We needed a draw or win to secure our quarter finals birth. I tell you what I don’t think any of us have been so happy to draw before.

It was so exciting;everyone had tears in their eyes. It honestly felt like we had won the World Cup obviously not; let’s not get ahead of ourselves...

Thanks to Tommy sending Cheryl up front leaving only 3 in the backline for the dying minutes of the match, Lisa DeVanna created the opportunity for Chez to slot it pass the keeper.

We had plenty of opportunities during the match to win, but we are all so ecstatic about qualifying we didn’t really care as long as we got through. You could say the good old ‘Aussie spirit’ and the ‘never say die’ attitude shined through...

We were all fairly weary eyed this morning. Some of the girls couldn’t manage to get to sleep even with the assistance of a stillnox (sleeping tablet). We were all on such a high last night.

The next couple of days will be comprised of resting, massages, more resting, a light run tomorrow, and then the Brazilians on Sunday night!!!

As much as we all miss Australia, we don’t want to be home till the 2nd of October. We have some unfinished business to take care of. The game against the Brazilians will be tough, we will be the underdogs but that has never bothered us before. Hope to hear you cheering us onThanks for all your support back home guys

Friday, 21 September 2007

Good news is there are no injury concerns other than Thea Slatyer's hip injury. A decision will be made on her tomorrow.

Cheryl Salisbury said,"For me four World Cup's and we've finally made it through to the next stage. I'm delighted to have made it with this group of girls.

"Hopefully, it will have a big impact on the girls watching or playing back home, just like the Socceroos did."With five minutes to go The Matildas were 2-1 down.

"I said to the girls it only takes a few seconds and passes to score a goal. We held our nerve and we did it," said Salisbury

"As the ball came to me, it all happened in slow motion. All the Canadian players were going one way, and I thought I'd just hit it to the other side. And it went in.

"For me, to create history and put the team through is a great achievement, but it's the whole team that got us here.

"Brazil can score goals,so we need to not concede. But we have some great weapons. Lisa didn't score last night, but came close, Sarah came close, Caitlin came close, and Collette scored. So we have players who can hurt teams.

"We'll see which team Tommy selects, we have faith in him and he in us."

"This team has heart, it was an emotional roller coaster. But you have to dig deep in these tournaments.

"In 1995 at my first World Cup, I don't think we were called the Matildas, or that the public even knew we had a women's team or that there was a World Cup. Now it's great that the young players can see that there is a team and they have somewhere to aim for."

Collette McCallum doesn't usually take the free kicks, but last night she did when it mattered.

McCallum, "I practiced the free-kicks at training, and I felt confident so I gave it ago. Shunsuke Nakamura, and John Collins from Celtic were my influences. I love watching Nakamura.

"Lydia Williams showed me the dance celebration and I thought we'd just give it ago. It's a little dance thing where you touch feet. It wasn't planned, I just did it.

"I'm feeling okay, I'm happy about the rest day tomorrow so we'll be rested for the big game on Sunday.

"Brazil play similarly to the men's side, and we'll probably have to play similar to the Socceroos, but we have some great players.

"We deserve to be here and hopefully we can keep going further. Hopefully we won't concede early.

Collette was born in Scotland, but came to Australia when she was four.

"I learnt all my football in Australia. That's what I did when I was younger, just kicked a ball around all the time."

Canberra FC Premier League Coach Nado Spaleta hopes to lead his side to glory in this weekend's Capital Football Grand Final against Belconnen United.

"Football is life," says Nado speaking at this week's Grand Final breakfast. "I've got my two sons playing in the team and I love it. I played in the 70's in Canberra and when I retired I started coaching my sons in the Under 7's. Apart from one year in Hobart, all my football has been here in Canberra.

"Paul Ivanic, my captain, I coached him when he was under 7. It's great experience to see the progression of players. Some went on to bigger things beyond Canberra football. I was involved in some way with Ned Zelic, still playing in Georgia, Peter Buljan and Joe Simunic. These guys were all very dedicated.

"It's a special time to have a Father and two sons in the same Grand Final team. Both Adam and Mark will start on the weekend," laughs Nado.

"It will be a close game. We've beaten them four times but I just hope we continue to do that."

The former Young Matilda's keeper is now a striker for local club Weston Creek and will lead the attack alongside Kim Channing in Sunday's Grand Final.

She doesn't regret stepping back from the Matildas.

"It was the right decision. I thought long and hard about it. I'm relaxed, running around the field. I might go back to keeping next year. I'm having fun, enjoying training, it's good.

"At one stage football meant everything, being part of the Matildas and following that path. But it's a lot of commitment and had to give up schooling and work to keep up with all the training. But in the end the decision was mine not to be part of it, I discussed it with my parents over a number of weeks.

"The Matildas have the right keeper in goal. Melissa Barbieri is great. I've just spoken to Emma Wirkus (South Australian Matildas reserve keeper) she says the whole team is on a high.

"It's good to see how far women's football has come."

Her Weston Creek team-mate Ping Saengmany thinks Lusia could be the match winner on Sunday.

Thursday, 20 September 2007

Captain Cheryl Salisbury scuffed a shot into the Canadian goal with one minute to go as Australia gained the draw they needed to qualify for the Quarter Finals of the World Cup for the first time.

It wasn't pretty, not in the second half.

Australia made a horror start in their crucial final group game of the World Cup in Chengdu, China.Melissa Tancredi scored with a great volley inside the first minute. Again the Matildas found themselves with a uphill battle.The Aussies didn’t panick and started to play themselves into the game.Caitlin Munoz started strongly creating havoc in the Canadian defence. Sarah Walsh was working hard and the midfield was pushing forward well.But Canada were confident and sat back in the heat waiting for their chances to get forward. Lang hit the bar with a freakish shot and Australia stayed in the game.Then the Aussies lifted, They started to control the play switch around the back and make the Canadians chase.

The wonderfully gifted Collette McCullum got on the ball and released Sarah Walsh on a number of occasions. With the best chance Walsh hit the post.

Munoz, Sally Shipard and Walsh all went close form a scramble in the box but still the Aussies couldn’t break through.Coach Tom Sermanni has the pocket rocket Lisa De Vanna to come on.

At half-time the Aussies can still do it. Come on Australia we cried.

Collette McCullum scored a sensational free-kick early in the second half, but from then on the Aussies made very hard work of it.

At 1-1 they were through but Sinclair scored for Canada with five minutes to go. 2-1 Australia were out until De Vanna twisted and turn late inside injury time and Salisbury shot home.

But didn't they give the ball away.

Time and time again Australia lost possession. They were looking long when they should have kept the ball.

Were they tired? Were the tactics to keep hitting long.

But it wasn't working as Canada started to press and press again.

Salisbury and Di Alagich the most experienced played on the pitch kept playing the ball to the Canadian midfield making it harder and harder for Australia to moved forward.

The Aussies hung on, until Sinclair scored at the back post.

Surely Australia were out, but the priceless smile of Cheryl Salisbury, Australia's most capped player ever, told the story.

Fantastic read from Jo Saunders, The Australian Team Manager below. Gives a real sense of the impact of yesterday's cancellation in the fans and family's and a group of Queensland schoolchildren.

Adjust your sets, tonight is the night...we hope.

From Jo,

Round 3, take 2. Hopefully this time we'll actually get to the stadium for our match! By all accounts there shouldn't be any last-minute changes today. But there is time, it is only midday after all ......

I've just come out of a surreal meeting with about 30 policemen. Yesterday one of our players had her wallet stolen when walking in the street, from her bumbag which she had slung over her shoulder. No real big deal, she cancelled her cards, there was only about 100 Yuan ($18) in it.

We met with tournament security yesterday to report it, but never thought any more of it, of course you never expect to see it again. But we were both called into a meeting just now, all the policemen there talking all at once and very animated, the head guy actually had the wallet there and presented it back to our player.

A zillion photos taken, felt like the red carpet at the Oscars. Smiles all round, ours in amazement and theirs in pride and excitement. Apparently they are very proud of their policing and security, and in particular want to ensure that visitors go away happy and with only good memories of their stay in Chengdu. For the police to find a wallet-snatcher in a city of 10 million people in one day, it is just unbelievable. No wonder they were all so thrilled! And can you imagine even this being a remote possibility in Australia?

Chengdu is a mixed place. Our hotel typifies the mélange of influences. It's got some genuine art deco furnishings and architecture, but then has broadband and all the usual mod-cons. There's some very European features mixed in with, of course, Chinese features. There are a couple of turban-wearing Indian concierges plus the usual hordes of locals (it seems there are always many more people to do jobs here in China than we're used to back home). Anyway, back to the focus of the day.

Yesterday's postponement created many headaches - for the teams of course, but also for the local organisers - stadium, security, hotel, travel staff to name a few. To suddenly call off the teams' police escort - road closures etc - must have been a task in itself! Plus the impact on TV schedules around the globe, with satellite time being purchased etc, apparently that is a real big deal in a financial sense. But I think the most disappointing part about the match postponement was the impact on spectators.

Just a few examples. Fans had already been queuing up at the stadium yesterday to get in. A few of our team's family and friends had flights booked home today, and some have been unable to change their plans (work reasons etc), so they will not see the game tonight. There was a young Qld club team who flew over from Hangzhou yesterday to watch us who had no choice but to go back today.

If everyone had known the day before I'm sure that travel plans could have been altered more easily. But to find out less than two hours to kick-off, when everyone was already dressed and war-painted ready to go, well, it did make life more tricky for the fans. And not least, you lot back home - having to readjust your TV watching and beer swilling schedule by a day - I hope you've been able to manage it OK!

The team is in good spirits, hey, football matches have been postponed for many reasons. The cliché of the day - that's just football. They're raring to go today, and we'll still be heading to Tianjin or Wuhan for the quarters tomorrow. We're not ready to come home yet.

Sorry i havent been forwarding anything onto you! hav been all over the place. getting so much support from those at home. Got a little caught up in it all.

Was very bizarre yesterday being told 2 hrs from kick-off that the most important game of our careers was called off!

We went to the pool and mucked around in there. Expended some energy and went out for dinner last night to a place called Tex Mex, with some family members. It was great to get our mind off the game and the food was amazing. I think it was the first time we had been full for about 3 weeks:-)

My toe is fine now, still bruised but the swelling has gone down!!! I'm on the starting team tonight! Nerves are very much settling in now. We have lunch/pre-match meal in 10 minutes. I've got to go.

Also I saw Heather Reid yesterday(CEO Capital Football). She had to go home. So some of the folks have to fly home today, and they miss the match!!! Some were able to change their flights:-)

Heather Reid sent this report through on the Matildas cancelled game. An interesting view, I'm sure you'll agree.

Heather writes:

Wednesday = With less than 2 hours until kick off, FIFA declared the Australia v Canada game is postponed until tomorrow evening. Check the FIFA and AP websites for the 'official story',

The unofficial story is that our team officials actually asked for the game to be played at the same time as the Norway v Ghana game - ie. the one that is now scheduled for Shanghai tomorrow evening.

The other more pressing suggestion is that the Chinese FA has been 'negotiating' with FIFA since yesterday to have their game v New Zealand which is also scheduled for tonight, deferred until tomorrow. China must beat NZ and by a number of goals if it's going to advance to the quarters. The other game in their group involves Brazil v Denmark which FIFA had already said would be deferred til tomorrow.

Brazil is the only team to have two wins (6 points) and can afford not to win against Denmark. The Danes, however, sit on three points, along with China and therefore also need a big win (anticipating China smashes the Kiwis).

So politics and negotiation rule here in China, while around 50-60 Australian family members and other supporters are going to miss out on watching their daughters and friends play tonight in this crucial match. Most of us are heading home tomorrow and despite hours of wrangling with Qantas and travel agents, their arrangements just can't be changed.

Many parents made the decision yesterday to stay in China regardless of tonight's result, but the latest news in the final hour before play has shattered them. I realise that spectators and new fans of the Matildas in Australia will be disappointed too and that this impacts on sponsors and broadcasting networks but also the tens of thousands of spectators who were making their way to the stadium in Chengdu and the hundreds of volunteers, caterers and security who are at the stadium now packing up for the night.

The result of the Australia v Canada game shouldn't have any impact on the other games - especially those Group D matches. At 3.30 we were all dressed ready to go to the stadium 'With the SMS news from the players about the FIFA decision, I headed to the team's hotel with a bunch of very angry and upset parents. The team manager, Jo Sanders confirmed the decision and even Ben Buckley, CEO of FFA said it was "most unusual" decision.

Now I think I'll go and have a beer or two or more... In terms of seeing the game, I'll be like like others like Andy Munoz and we'll miss the game completely because we'll be on a plane flying home. Catch up with you at the JL gala day on Saturday or our PL grand finals on Sunday at McKellar B

In closing, whilst the FIFA media statement may say the postponements are based on the "latest weather reports about the evolution of typhoon Wipha", I think you should read more into the final statement that says "the new match schedule also complies with the requests of the participating teams" - and that includes Australia and CAnada. Ah ya gotta luck politics in football especially when it's framed on the basis of maintaining a level playing field.

Wednesday, 19 September 2007

We have been advised - at 3.08pm when we were to be at the stadium at 3.30pm - that our match today has been postponed until tomorrow night. FIFA has outdone itself on this one. As the decision to uphold any protests was not made yesterday, we certainly did not expect it to be made less than 2 hours to kick-off! No further details at this stage, but you have the scoop. Put the beers on ice and clear your diaries for tomorrow night!

Grab anyone, anyone who loves sport and plonk em down at 6:50pm for the National Anthems of Australia and Canada.

Come Australia fire up for The Matildas!!

The Matildas team manager is Jo Sanders, she'll be on the bench next to Assistant Coach Robbie Hooker. Jo gets to travel the world organising the Matildas and Young Matildas.

Jo, the Matildas team manager, has sent us this update....what no shirts?Hey football fans

What a few days it's been.

The story of the shirts is too long to relay now, the summary is that all of our playing shirts were destroyed by the hotel laundry on Sunday, after much angst and many meetings and emails and calls, replacements from Australia are on their way here now, they will be police escorted from the airport and arrive at the stadium around 2 hours before the game (yes, VVIP shirts!).

I will be the most relieved looking person around before the game!

Then there's the typhoon story which was just as long - the matches in Shanghai and Hangzhou are affected, for some time it looked like ours would be too (the last round games are meant to be played at the same time), but FIFA's decision is that our match will proceed tonight and Norway v Ghana will be played tomorrow night (and yes, for football heads, that does give Norway an advantage - but the "force majeure" provision was enforced so our protests were to no avail).

So we have to wait in Chengdu until Friday (normally we move the day after a match), once we know the Norway result, before we move on to our next city.

Anyway I'd better press on. Our documentary crew - who have been following the team since earlier this year (watch out for it early next year on SBS) want to film a re-enactment of the shirts saga - watch out Hollywood, here I come! (not really, they just want to ask me a few questions ....).

Thank you so much for all your good luck and congratulations messages in the last few days. Apologies I haven't been replying individually, life is one big exciting hectic ride at the moment.

I'm sure you all know already, apparently the press are doing a pretty good job back home covering the Matildas. The game is on at 5pm Chengdu time, so 7pm Sydney time. Biggest game ever. Aiming for our first quarter final berth at a World Cup. Can I write the word exciting again?

still can't log in but no worries - I think your assessment is right - just can't log in when in China.

Tuesday - spent a nice but hot day yesterday on a tour with about 15 from the Matildas family group. Big budha and big pandas plus some shopping.

There was a possibility and hence a bit of panic amongst us about FIFA's plan to postpone the game tonight because of cyclone in Shanghai area. The game there, Norway v Ghana is scheduled at the same time as ours (to limit possibility of match fixing) and that game will be affected if cyclone hits. Fortunately the decision is to leave our game as scheduled and move the Norway v Ghana, plus Brazil v New Zealand games to Hangzhou tomorrow (20th).

Wednesday - The Australian contingent (and the players) are very confident of us making the quarters and many are now making plans to stay longer in China. Their destination is uncertain due to the change in scheduling and not knowing who we're likely to meet.

Two other groups are now decided with Germany (winner of A) to face DPR Korean (runner up of B) and USA (winner of B) to face England (r-up of B). As we're still taking it one game at a time, I wont speculate now on the likely opposition for Australia if we get to the semi final stage.

First, the game against Canada and we're in for a dousy. Macca of KangaCup fame has said he'd like to sign up for the 'Vanna Manna from heaven fan club' and I reckon he'd be on a winner with that one. With the likes of Lisa, Walsh, Munoz, McCallum, Garriock, Salisbury, Alagich,Barbieri - and now Peters and Shipard back into the line-up Australia will be at its strongest for tonight's game.

I'm preparing a story on the increasing need for a national league (A W-League) to start in 2008 and will send that soon. In the meantime, sit tight and get ready for the biggest game on the Matildas calendar to date - these teams have met 13 times with six wins apiece and one draw. Tonight surely must be in Australia's favour?

More than 3,000 riding the wave in season three for the Matiners. Great news and big increase, but surely Canberra with it's football fans and numbers can beat this figure when the A-League teams gets started.

For more on the Mariners wave....

The Central Coast Mariners’ early season success on the field has been duplicated off it, with Mariners Membership numbers surpassing 3,000 in recent days ahead of the Mariners’ Hyundai A-League match up against the Perth Glory at Bluetongue Stadium this Sunday.

Having registered 600 Members in season one and 1,800 in season two, the Mariners’ landmark achievement in 2007/08 illustrates the staggering growth the club has enjoyed since their inaugural fixture in May 2005.

The rapid escalation in Membership numbers experienced by the Mariners is comparable, at least in terms of ratio to most mainstream sporting clubs in Australia, including those in the AFL and NRL.

The Mariners Membership base has been expanded by 60% in season three, following on from a 300% increase from season one to season two.

While the men and women are preparing to contest the grand finals this weekend, ACT juniors will have a chance to show off skills of their own starting tomorrow in indoors as they compete for the ACT Primary Schools Futsal Cup.

A record number of 50 teams nominations has been received this year with matches to be held at the Tuggeranong Basketball Stadium with action kicking off tomorrow for the 5/6 boys, and on Friday 21 September - for the 5/6 Girls and years 3/4 divisions with games commencing at 8:30 am on both days.

The competition began in 2003 and has enjoyed steady growth since it’s inception but as the fifth year approaches the previous record of 33 teams looks insignificant compared to this year’s impressive number of registrants.

“The ACT Primary Schools Futsal Cup it’s a great opportunity to endorse the indoor version of football to the junior school students across the ACT and hopefully see them take part in our local junior competitions,” Capital Football’s Futsal Manager Michael Edwards said.

“Football skills are transferable between the indoor and outdoor versions of the game with Futsal providing a great opportunity for juniors to improve their technique and skill following in the footsteps of many top footballers world wide.”

Competition results will be regularly updates on the Capital Football Futsal website (www.actfutsal.asn.au ).

The Capital Football Futsal competition is set to kick off in mid October with registrations to close for the seniors at the end of the months while the juniors need to hurry with limited spots available.

"I was with the Canberra Cosmos and they folded, then Sydney United and the whole league folded!"

I'm surprised Canberra FC signed him with that record.

But on Sunday Ivanic will lead his side out against Belconnen United in Capital Football's Grand Final.

Ivanic has been unlucky. He missed almost two years of national football when the old NSL folded and it has been hard to get back to that level.

"Sure I'd have another go at the national league but it takes a lot of time so the money would have to be right. I'm 25 now but I'd give it a go," ays Ivanic speaking at the Grand Final breakfast today.

Canberra FC, Club President, Martin Radic, says, "He's only 25, he's just coming into his prime."

But for now all thoughts are on Sundays finale against Belconnen United

"We had a good trip to Croatia earlier in the year, so this brought the guys closer together I think. We're looking forward to Sunday, I think we have the players to win."

Belconnen United's Nicole Somi hopes to lead her team to victory in Sunday's Grand Final.

"We're a close group and we'll have a big party on Sunday," said Nicole speaking at Capital Football's Grand Final breakfast this morning.

Nicole, a former Young Matilda, says football has played an important part in her life.

"I started playing when I was eight, my whole family plays. Most of friends are soccer players. I've been successful at it, so it's been enjoyable. I've travelled the World with football, with the Young Matildas

"I've been to China, Russia, Singapore, Malaysia, Papua New Guinea, and Thailand"

Nicole has no regrets about missing out on the Matilda's World Cup campaign.

"I looked at it realistically when I finished with the Young Matildas last year. The chances of me making the Matildas wasn't high, and I'm at Uni now studying Coaching Science so I hope to get into coaching over the next couple of years.

"A lot of the Young Matildas have stopped playing after missing out this year. The gap between the Young Matildas and next level down is to big. There is no national league to go back to, so it's hard for players to step from Young Matildas back to club football."

On Sunday Nicole expects Belconnen to win.

"We've only conceded one goal in the last five matches, there is a really good feeling among the team. I think we'll win."